Sunday, May 11, 2014

GIG REVIEW: Kreator “Road Rage Down Under 2014” by Collin Brophy

Special Guest: Death Angel and Metreya.

Venue: The
Manning Bar, Sydney.

Date: 18th
April 2014

I arrived in Sydney a little early and
went and had a couple of cold beers. While
at the pub, I spoke with some of the other metal heads who were also their
before the gig started and were really looking forward to tonight’s gig. I
arrived at The Manning Bar around 15 minutes before the doors opened and met up
with some mates who were already in line. Considering that the starting time
for tonight’s gig was at 5:30 pm due to the 10 pm noise curfew, there was
already a massive crowd outside ready to go in, with most wearing the denim
jackets with all different band patches on them.

I was looking forward to seeing Metreya as I have
only seen them on YouTube before tonight. As soon as they started the room
started to fill up. If you want anyone
to support a couple of worlds best thrash metal bands, then Metreya are the
guys to fill that spot. Metreya pumped out 5 thrashing songs that got the night
going with a small pit happening by time they started to play Martyr and
Machines of War. Metreya played a tight, intense and fierce set of brilliant
thrash metal and finished their set off with a sick track called War Era. If
you like the 80’s style of thrash metal, then Metreya is for you. They also
released an EP last year called Machines of War, and they are looking at doing
an album sometime in 2014. Metreya are one of the bands set to play on the “Slayer
Day” in Sydney
on the 3rd of May 2014.

I have only been listening
to Death Angel for only around 12 months, so I am new to these guys. This is my first Death Angel gig and I was
looking forward to this from the first moment when they said they were touring Australia. From
the opening track, Left For Dead, the pit action was non stop crazy. The
drummer was incredible. I couldn’t believe just how fast he was smashing those skins.
The bassist was just as great and both guitarists were brilliant, with some of
the best guitar playing I have seen live in all the years I have been going to
metal gigs, and the vocalist was just amazing. By the time they got to “The
Dream Calls For Blood”, the place was absolutely going off and by the last song,
“Thrown To The Wolves”, the crowd was completely stunned by what was one
incredible set from Death Angel. I can’t wait for these guys to return to Australia
again.

It’s hard to believe that
it’s been 5 years since Kreator last graced our shores, and that was one hell
of a gig. After a well earned break between the end of Death Angel and the
start of Kreator, the crowd were getting restless with loud chanting for
Kreator. From the start of the intro of Mars Mantra and then strait into Phantom
Antichrist, the crowd went completely crazy and I should know, I was one of
them. The energy and ferocity of the pits was just insane. After 5 songs I was totally spent, and had to
drag myself out for a breather.

As I sat out the next song
and watched from the back, you could see bodies flying up and over the top and
I couldn’t help myself and after the one song rest, I ran and dived off the
stairs into the pit and I got smashed in the process. The crowd was singing out
loud to some of the classics, Phobia and People Of The Lie, just to name a
couple. At one stage, there was a splitting of the crowd as the vocalist
counted down from 3.2.1 go. The impact
was incredible. A completely crazy, insane merging of bodies in the pit. I’m
sure that some were hurt or injured, but it didn’t seem to bother them as they
kept moshing like it was their last ever gig.

The Manning Bar was bursting
at the seams. I have never seen it so
full before and as I found out later, it was a full sell out. By the time
Kreator got to, “Flag Of Hate”, everyone was pretty well stuffed, as it was one
of the most energetic and violent mosh pits I have ever been in. But out from somewhere, in the dark, sweaty, crowd,
someone upped the anti and everyone in that pit completely lost their shit. There were shoes, bodies, beers and anything
else that was there, was thrown into air or they just hurtled over the top.

By the end of the gig, I
was absolutely stuffed. I was covered in
beer, bourbon and sweat. It took me a while to get out as I couldn’t walk
properly and it felt like I had been tenderised by a meat mallet. Every inch of my body ached for days
afterwards and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. This would have to have
been one of the best gigs that have been played at The Manning Bar. I was just
so stoked that I got the privilege to have not only seen it, but participate in
the pit. These guys are true
entertainers and really know how to get and keep the crowd moving.

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